Heat the oil to smoking point, then reduce heat and wait for 5 minutes.
Drop in the onions and tossing almost continuously, fry till they're a crisp, golden brown.
Remove from the oil and drain on brown paper.
Mix in the chillies and spices into the onions, crumble them slightly with the fingers and keep aside.
Into the same oil, add the vegetable.
Tossing continuously, fry on high heat till the ladies' fingers are well browned and crisp.
This should take about 30 minutes by which time the egetable will look a little shriveled.
If you don't want it very crunchy, stop frying after about 15 minutes when it will be just turning crisp but will not et be really crunchy.
Drain on the brown paper.
Mix in the onions, salt and spices and serve immediately.